Holden Frontera
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10 reviews · Statistics
Reviews
Great little 4x4 with a stack of issues
I bought a Holden Frontera about 6 1/2 years ago after not needing to own a car for some many years as my work provided one or it just made more sense at the time not to own one. This one had very low kms on it . 154k for a car made in 2002 . The “ former “ friend I bought it from failed to disclose some of its history and as a result it broke down badly not long after I bought it and I just went and bought a brand new diesel dual cab 4x4 Ute . It’s actually quite an impressive package . The engine is a 3.2 litre V6. Fuel injected petrol. One o
... Read morever camshaft per bank with 24 valves in total . The front axle line is pretty much on the middle of the engine so it’s probably balanced well for rallying . With that is a proper 4x4 setup . Two gear levers . One for the 5 speed box and another for the transfer case . This vehicle dies not have manually engaged front hubs . There is a switch on the drivers dash for that so you don’t have to get out to get all the wheels driving . You get the CV style independent front and a linked coil rear . Has 4 wheel disc brakes . It is a very comfortable and willing car to drive, with rear seats removed and and plywood floor I made two not overly tall people can sleep in the back for short stays . It’s a lovely looking car with electric windows and a very nice rear glass and swing out tailgate . It’s a nightmare to work on . Torre is a lot of stuff crammed into a smallish 4x4. I’ve tried to repair the engine, cylinder head gaskets gone, but I just have to take it all out and strip it down . No way can I get the exhaust back together properly …it will be easier ina stand . I’ve built loads of cars snd engines over the years . Twin cam V6 engines are nothing like taking a red motor out of a Holden . No way would I use this as a daily driver until I know it’s working properly .The engine bay electrics … way they run trough the manifold cover . It’s a rock show and prone to failure . I would normally just get rid of it but there is something about this little, gutsy car that says no! And it owes me 7 grand so I’ll get it going as a spare car and maybe get more from the engine and have some fun on the dirt. Will see if the Buick V6 from the commodore will go in or the 3.5 from jackaroos
Tough as nails & reliable but drinks like a drunken sailor !
Purchased mine new in 2002, serviced every 6 months using Mobil 0-50W full synthetic oil all it's life. Burns about a litre in 6 months but oil consumption seems to be designed into these Isuzu engines to protect them in extreme conditions. Only issues in 16 years have been a faulty exhaust gas sensor and noisey thrust bearing which in retrospect was probably due to poor fitting when assembled. Still have her parked out the front and use as a second car. Still very comfortable, quiet, icy cold aircon and great for long road trips. My wife actually prefers to drive "The Fonz" instead of a 2013 Mazda 3. If your looking for a cheap to purchase & reliable tourer you really can't go past a Frontera.
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My heart says upgrade but my head says why?
Tough, reliable little truck! Have taken it all over VIC, SA and NSW without a hitch including a 5000k trip up the NSW Coast and back through the Great Dividing Range towing a Camper Trailer. Has been fitted with LPG (injection system) and just done 240k on the clock. Cost to run on LPG is par with a 4cyl petrol car (~$10/100km) and has all the modern features such as ABS, cruise and electric windows. Currently tossing up the option of upgrading to something newer but there's not much out there that is the same size and isn't totally plastic! Should I just get it lifted, bigger tyres/wheels and keep it for another 5 years?
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Can't find an excuse to get rid of it
My Fronty SE 5 door has been superb since bought new in 1999. !80,000 and I am getting the new car urge but will have to pay up to $50,000 for something similar, will probably not like it as much and suspect that it will not perform as well as the fronty now worth less than $2000 trade in!!! Might keep it as a second car!! Only had to replace all the major air con components and starter motor. Very quick off the mark. Looks good. Good road grip on fast turns. Very powerful in low ratio. Turning circle is a bit wide . Thirsty and poor fuel tank capacity. I have not gone off road much but it has bottomed out in sand - probably my poor skills!. Hard to go past if you are looking for a good reliable cheap 4WD
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Bullet proof
Hi, Have had our base model Holden Frontera since 2001 from Brand new. It has been virtually bullet proof. 320,000km later and garaged for LESS than 12 months of its life, it has towed many trailers, a boat, driven around paddocks and off road(we won't mention the goat dancing on the roof). There is not a bubble in the dash or a spot of rust from exposure(and we live only 15 km from the sea and rarely wash this car). We have had to replace something to do with the air filter that was about at the seven year mark, and the accelorator shaft got "
... Read moresticky" because of all the dust in our drive way). We recently had to have the fan replaced (the 14 year mark). So pretty good I reckon. Now my son tries to thrash it, but I think shes got another 200,000km left in her, if he gets it serviced. The "not so good" thing about these cars is they are thirsty on the fuel and they aren't worth much to sell. So she will probably see her days out here.
Good
I actually owned the Isuzu Wizard, which was a private import from Japan, but similar to the version sold new in small numbers in New Zealand, powered by the Isuzu 4JX1 diesel as found in late model Holden Jackaroos although not intercooled and there less powerful. In most respects it was very similar to the Holden Frontera, and other than the engine the main difference was that the spare wheel was mounted underneath the rear floor and not on the rear door. This meant of course that the rear/ door/hatch was different and so was the opening glas
... Read mores (which has an arc cut from the bottom of the glass to allow it to open past the spare on Fronteras). The diesel was excellent for economy although odd to drive, at first, because backing off sent the revs back to idle (it was an auto), which was almost like switching the engine off. The shock absorbers were totally shot at about 95,000 kms. Replacements were easily and cheaply obtained. The only other mechanical issues were slippage in first and reverse gears, again, quite easily fixed by replacing the gearbox fluid as well as the gearbox filter. As I didn't know the history of the engine (having been subject to recall) I also replaced the injector sleeves, reasonably cheaply as the parts were distributed at a very good price through New Zealand Isuzu dealers. My car was an "Aero" model which meant a fancy body kit, which looked terrific but was an odd contrast to the All Terrain tyres the last Japanese owner had fitted! Overall I was very pleased with the car regret not bringing the car over when I shifted back to Australia. However, the low value of Fronteras here and the high cost of shipping put paid to that idea. The possibility of an even lower resale value becasue the car was an "import" was also a disincentive despite the fact the car was capable of achieving below 8l/100km on our country roads. good looks, quite comfortable, easy to drive, relatively cheap spares noisy cabin, dated and plasticky interior, high tyre wear
The Total multipurpose 4WD
I paid a low price for this 4wd and get alot for my money. it is amazingly quick (V6) for a 4WD around town. Then it has a smooth 4WD capability. Not a car you will go totally off roading in, but on the occassions I have used off road, it has performed without fault.
Always looks smart, and can be used to around town without looking out of place with the VWs and the like. (They're re 10 x the price!).
So for reliablity and economy (price) it has been a gem. Clean running on petrol not keen on diesel after reading it causes cancer.
Totally reliable, tough under the bonnet, for six and weight amazingly fuel efficient.
Doesn't look rugged but thats the compromise for it being a multpurpose vehicle.
Good
We bought bought our 99 Frontera new. It is the 3.2l V6 manual. Initially we had problems with steering, Air con, ABS, shock absorbers. Holden Didn't recognise any of them. Later models got fixes for ABS and A/C that I know about.We replaced the shocks and fitted aftermarket rear springs and put thermo fan on condenser to fix cooling of A/C. ABS unit failed at 15000kms and holden had to replace with later unit with increased skid time. Since then this car has not missed a beat. It is now at 150000kms,I have just done the water pump and soon will need to do the clutch throw out bearing as starting to get noisy.
Nice medium sized fwd
Heavy on fuel, poor service and backup from holden
OK
I've had mine for around a year now and been generally happy with it.
The are some design features that I think lacked some insight, i.e. the low fuel tank that seems to be the first point of contact when you're 4WDing yet there's a large space under the boot which would be perfect for a fuel tank.
I run mine on gas and it actually runs better on gas than it does on petrol.
It generally has penty of power for 4WDing with alot of my 4WD mishaps being due to myself rather my car. i.e. not letting down the tyres when going itno soft sand etc.
N
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On road/off road
I have had my Frontera since new (2002) and have been off road in Kakadoo/NT and SA and found it excellent. Pleanty of torq for a low reving motor and excellent stability off road 4X4 gearing excellent. A bit low for river crossings but i have had the water up to the bonnet without a snorkel no worries. If you can get one thats been looked after your on a winner.Im off to Cape York in the old girl next month.
everything especially the luggage area
A bit low for river crossings
Questions & Answers
Hi Everyone ... I have a Holden 2002 Frontera 4WD ... It has only done 130,000 KLMS. I have a Flashing Red Light come on .. saying Check Transmission. Does this mean an overhaul / recondition / other of the Automatic Transmission ..??
If so .. where can I get this fixed at a reasonable price in Sydney. Thanks for your Help.
What are the Motors can you put in a 1998 2L Holden Frontera fullback for petrol
What motor can I swap in my 1998 2.0lt Holden frontera
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Details
| Category | Midsize / Medium SUVs |
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| Release date |
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Errata . The 3.2 litre V6 has dual overhead camshafts . Yep it’s a tricky one . Bit like a red headed Irish gurl . Sweet when they are on . Nasty when they are not